ag-2013-14-w-eng

Boating Safety InformationEnsure your pleasure craft has what is needed for asafe trip:• Are there enough flotation devices of appropriate sizefor everyone on board? If you’ve made the initialinvestment to purchase and carry them, why not go astep further and wear one. A personal floatation deviceis the primary means of surviving an unexpectedfall overboard, and will help to keep you afloat andwarmer until help arrives.• Is all of the required equipment in good workingorder? Are the batteries in the watertight flashlightworking? Check to make sure flares have not expired.• Do you have ample reserves of fuel for the trip? Doyou have room to take extra fuel and spare engineparts?• Is your VHF radio working properly?• Do you have a first aid kit, basic tools and spare parts?Take a minute to consider your safety preparedness:• Have you checked the weather forecast?• What are the local hazards in the area you areheading?• Guests should be told where the safety equipmentis kept and how to use it. Check to see if anyone iscompetent to stand in as operator if you become ill orincapacitated.• File a sail plan with a responsible person to let themknow where you are going and when you’ll be back.Instruct them to call a Marine Communications andTraffic Services Center if you are overdue. All boatersare encouraged to file a sail plan before heading out,even if it is just for an hour or two.These are just a few things to consider before settingout. To be properly prepared, take a boating safetycourse.Detailed boating safety information is available fromTransport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety atwww.boatingsafety.gc.ca or phone 1-800-230-3693.44 Angler’s Guide 2013-2014